Krista Dempsey

Owner
Pantana CPA

Staff nickname: Kiki

Emoji used most: 🤪

Strengths: Arranger | Puzzle Solver | Leadership | Achiever

Her personal motto: “If you’re going to do something, give it your full effort and do it correctly. Never do anything halfway. And, in everything you do, do it for God, not for people.”

Causes and organizations she supports: Feed My Starving Children, Hope Center, African Girls Hope Foundation, MUST Ministries, and her local church

Meet Krista – Owner of Pantana CPA

As the owner of Pantana CPA, Krista leads with a combination of professional excellence and personal warmth. She is proud to offer exceptional financial services rooted in a personalized approach that meets each client’s unique needs. Backed by a team of highly skilled and experienced CPA professionals, Krista ensures the firm delivers reliable accounting, tax, and advisory solutions with accuracy and integrity.

What sets Krista apart isn’t just her technical precision—it’s her leadership style. She fosters a laid-back, collaborative, and upbeat office culture where daily interactions with her team are a priority. Her goal is simple: do great work and have fun doing it. She believes the best outcomes happen when people enjoy the process, not just the results.

A True Entrepreneur at Heart

Krista is a natural entrepreneur with a deep drive to build and grow impactful ventures. In addition to running Pantana CPA, she and her husband Clay own a residential and commercial rental property company, manage Airbnb vacation rentals, and operate a goat-scaping business offering eco-friendly land-clearing services.

Her entrepreneurial spirit extends beyond her own ventures—she’s also actively teaching her son Alec the value of business ownership and financial independence, passing along practical skills and real-world insight to the next generation.

Committed to Community & Compassion

One of Krista’s deepest passions is fighting hunger and supporting families in need. She regularly volunteers at her church’s food pantry, participates with Feed My Starving Children, and leads Pantana CPA’s involvement in charitable efforts like the MUST Ministries Summer Lunch Program, where her firm organizes donation drives to provide kids with nutritious meals during the summer. Giving back is woven into both her personal and professional life, reflecting her belief that true success includes making a difference in the lives of others.

Background & Education

Krista grew up in Lynchburg, Virginia, where her father was a professor and her mother a teacher. This educational foundation led her to Liberty University, where she earned her degree in Accounting and a minor in Finance.

Life Outside the Office

Krista recently returned from the trip of a lifetime through Italy and Europe with her husband and son. The family explored Sicily and Taormina, visited Mount Etna just before its eruption, and spent time in Montaperto—the ancestral village of her great-grandfather Pantano, bringing their family name full circle. The journey continued through Rome, Lake Como, Monaco, Nice, Geneva, and beyond.

At home, Krista enjoys simple pleasures like mowing the grass with music blasting, dancing through her chores, and winding down with a swim. Whether she’s traveling the world or relaxing in her backyard, Krista embraces life fully, always finding joy in the journey.

Why She Loves What She Does

“I love the people I work with. I enjoy helping clients solve problems, get their finances in order, and ultimately save money. I like seeing the big picture come together—and every day is different. Working across a range of industries keeps things fresh and interesting.”

Best Advice She’s Ever Received

In college, while waiting tables, a coworker named Chris told her, “Do your best no matter what it is or how menial it may seem, because you’re doing it for God—not for people.” Chris later became a preacher, and his words stuck with her. That mindset helped her become the top waitress on staff and continues to guide her work ethic today.

Advice to Her Younger Self

“Stop worrying about what others think. Quit being scared and just do it!”

If She Had 24 Hours, Ferris Bueller Style…

“I would go back in time to witness history as it happened. Seeing the Colosseum was amazing, but I would love to experience the way it truly was centuries ago. I’d time-travel to witness many historical events firsthand.”

Fun Fact: Her Playlist

Krista is an unapologetic 80s girl with a love for all kinds of music—from country and rock to rap and everything in between. Wherever she goes, the soundtrack follows.